Term 4 2018 From the Principal’s Desk - Epworth School · 2018-12-04 · Term 4 2018 From the...
Transcript of Term 4 2018 From the Principal’s Desk - Epworth School · 2018-12-04 · Term 4 2018 From the...
Term 4 2018
From the Principal’s Desk I would like to take this opportunity to firstly thank all the staff at Epworth for their dedication, passion and hard work
they have given to all our pupils and the school this year. This includes all those that are behind the scenes that
contribute to the smooth running of Epworth throughout the year.
To our parents who have spent many hours supporting their children at the many and varied events, thank you so much
for your loyal support and for being there for our children.
To the pupils who make every day an exciting adventure for us, no two days are ever the same. I have on many
occasions been so proud of them. Thank you for making this such a wonderful and colourful school.
This past term has been a very busy and exciting one for everyone in the Prep School. The Grade R’s shared the nativity
story which, this year, was told by the landlord’s cat! They also enjoyed a fun evening at their farewell party. There was
great excitement on 14 November when the children arrived at school to find the foyer transformed into Christmas.
Thank you to the mums on the Parents’ Association committee for doing this. The teachers also worked hard with the
children, creating many beautiful artworks to celebrate this special time. In the last week, we all enjoyed a Christmas
show and a visit from Father Christmas.
For the Grade 7’s, the fourth term marked the end of their primary school education and after exams, it was time for
goodbyes. The school bade farewell to them at a special chapel service and the Grade 7’s, in turn, said their thanks and
goodbyes at their final assembly. Each pupil received a certificate which highlighted their strengths and unique attrib-
utes. The good fellowship awards, which were voted for by the Grade 7’s, went to Nicola Bentley and Toby Nuttall.
Thank you to the Parents’ Association that organised the Grade 7 dinner. The venue was tastefully decorated and after a
delicious meal, the pupils exchanged gifts, signed autograph books and took numerous photographs. What a happy and
memorable occasion it was!
The Christmas service, which was held in the chapel on 28 November, was a time to bring the Epworth family together and to celebrate and recognise the essence of the Christmas season. To begin the service, the Scripture Union group spoke about Jesus being the light of the world and the beauty of this message was portrayed through the lighting of candles. The Grade 3 pupils took part in readings and a nativity tableau which was reinforced by the theme of the service “What a strange way to save the world” with the birth of baby Jesus in a humble stable. Viewing the Christmas service emboldens us all to have happy and full hearts and to share in the joy together.
It is with an extremely heavy heart that we have to bid farewell to a number of ladies who are retiring at the end of this
year.
Mrs Shannon Potgieter, fondly known by all as Mrs P, has been a loyal and dedicated staff member at Epworth for the
last 31 years. She has touched so many lives, both in and out of the classroom. As well as being a wonderful mentor to
our pupils, she has also been an amazing role model to staff. Her contribution to Epworth is immeasurable and cannot
be quantified. She has personified all that Epworth stands for. We wish her and Les all the best in her retirement and
Library facelift
hope they get to spend many hours with their grandchildren.
Alison Dicks has controlled the front Office for 18 years. Alison is a fountain of knowledge and has cared for many an
injured pupil. Whether it be a serious injury or someone just needing a plaster or a comforting hug, she has done it with
a smile. It will certainly be very strange to arrive at school to a different face in our “fish bowl” and to hear a different
voice cheerfully greeting us. We wish Alison and Pete all the best in their new adventure underneath the mountains.
Trish Look has completed two stints at Epworth that add up to 11 years’ service in total. A wise lady who has the
education of children at heart, Trish has been an important part of the Epworth team. Her most recent role of mentoring
the interns has been amazing and she has treated these fledgling teachers like her own children. Trish’s flair for helping
children with difficulties has meant that the pupils in her class have developed immensely and in such a positive manner.
We know Trish will not sit still for long and we wish her all the best in her next adventure.
This year we also say goodbye to two interns, Brad Hempson and Jacqui Strachan, who have qualified and are now
moving on to new adventures. Sibs Khumalo, Sharon Banche and Rahel Maharaj have all qualified and are staying on as
interns to complete their Honours’ degrees.
Dana Drimml, who has now qualified, will take over the Grade 6 class from Mrs St Leger. Zama Khanyile, an experienced
educator, will replace Mrs Look in Grade 2, and Sam Maharaj will take over as the permanent Grade RRR teacher.
Katherine Botha will be the face in the front office in place of Alison Dicks. We extend a warm welcome to all of them
and hope their stay with us will be an exciting and happy one.
We have decided to increase our management team and will be including two new HOD’s. We are excited to announce
the appointment of Mrs Julie Calitz (Foundation Phase) and Mr Jan-Hendrik Van Tonder (Intermediate/Senior Phase).
To the families that are leaving us, we wish you all the best where ever you have decided to start afresh. May your
transitions be easy and your days filled with happiness.
Lastly, a sad farewell to our Grade 7’s. It is now your time to take on the world of high school. We know that you have all
the skills necessary to go and achieve your goals and dreams. Remember “BE KIND” and make the most of everyday you
are given.
On behalf of the staff of Epworth, we would like to wish every family a blessed festive season and may you have a restful
and peaceful time with your families.
FIDA HUMANA FORTIS
Reynard White
Art Exhibition
The annual art exhibition was a spectacular, kaleidoscopic display of artwork produced
by pupils from Grades RRR to 7.
A showcase of musical talent
A lunchtime concert on 11 October provided
an ideal opportunity for the Prep’s junior
musicians to exhibit the skills they have
developed over the past year.
Cultivating environmental awareness
In order to instil an awareness for the environment, the Grade RRR’s engaged in a recycling activity which involved each child bringing a small bag of recycling products to school. As a group, they visited the mini recycling village on campus
where they learnt about separating their recyclable items according to material. They then disposed their items into the appropriate bins.
In their class assembly, the Grade 1’s had a
chance to come up with the BEST gift for Mrs P’s
retirement. The pupils thought a pet would be a
marvellous idea but which pet to choose? A
mole, a firefly, a sardine or a rat? How on earth
could they choose! They thought of all the
problems that could happen if they gave her a
shark – it might eat her husband. In the end they
decided that perhaps a box full of pictures of
different animals might be a safer option, and they got on with drawing their best pet ideas. But as usual, Mrs P
had a sneaky trick up her sleeve – or in this case – a rat! When the children presented her with their gift, she
pretended to be horrified at the rat inside the box. The surprised looks on the children’s faces were priceless and
to date, that rat is still spoken about.
A pet for Mrs P
The local SPCA benefited
from the school’s SPCA
Civvies Day. Generous
donations of pet food
were received from
many of the pupils. The
SPCA thanked the school
for reaching out and for
making a concerted
effort to assist them in
difficult times.
Exploring the theatre The Grade 7’s had a chance to visit a fully
operational, professional theatre – The
Hexagon – on the local UKZN campus. They
were divided into small groups and given an
in-depth tour of all the backstage areas,
including the wardrobe and workshop
areas. They were shown how all the lights
are rigged and some were even allowed to
press the buttons on the lighting desk and change the cues. By far the most favourite part was the great climb up into
the catwalks above the main stage. What a view!
Bringing literature to life One of the highlights of the Grade 3 year
was celebrating a Christopher Robin
picnic which involved making picnic eats,
taking a walk through “the Hundred Acre
Wood” to find the character’s “homes”,
and enjoying a picnic together in
“Christopher Robin’s Garden”. For the
build-up to the day the pupils made invita-
tions and learnt about party etiquette.
Best-selling South African author, Lori-Ann Preston, spoke
to the Grade 4’s and 5’s about her new book, Thabo, the
Space Dude. She explained the research, writing and pub-
lishing process and told the young Epworth writers how
they can get their own stories published.
During the Grade 6 assembly the pupils were treated to a
presentation by adventures Steve and Eleanor Pienaar
who recently completed the Grand Slam - running seven
marathons on seven continents, as well as one at the
North Pole. They are the first South African couple to have
achieved this feat.
Community engagement activities
Stationery pack drive
The Prep School filled 471 packs for the whole school stationery pack drive that will benefit the children at Eden
Kids, Youth for Christ and Ithembalomntwana pre-school. The children had such fun packing their stationery at
the pop-up shop and designing their cards, which will accompany each pack. Thank you to Office National and
Electrical Repair and Wiring for their sponsorship. Many thanks, too, to the parents for their generous donations.
Reaching out to Allison Homes
The Grade 6’s chose to donate 10% of their market day profits to
upgrade the residents’ coffee shop at Allison Homes. The pupils
bought brightly coloured fabric and some of the girls demonstrated
their sewing talents by making table cloths for the coffee tables.
Each pupil also made a pot plant to brighten up the area.
In the last week of school the Prep School invited the folk from
Allison Homes to attend their Christmas service dress rehearsal.
The Grade 6’s served them tea and cake in the chapel garden
before the service.
Kwangubeni drama exchange The Principal of KwaNgubeni Primary School, Mr Ngcobo,
and two of his teachers, Mrs Sibisi and Mrs Mazi, spent a
morning with Mrs Henning and the Grade 4 pupils
observing what we offer in our drama classes. Mr Ngcobo
recognises the value of drama for children and is really
excited about starting a drama club after school. Four
young Grade 4 pupils from the school joined in the class
and made lots of new friends while playing simple, but
creative drama games. Even the teachers got caught up
in the infectious energy and joined in the fun.
Books2You visits Epworth
The Books2You book
fair, held in the library,
appealed to all ages.
Some children just
enjoyed browsing while
others took advantage
of the books on sale.
At this year’s Grade R Christmas
concert, we followed the story
of the nativity as seen through
the eyes of the landlord’s cat.
What a delightful rendition of
this celebrated story!
The Landlord’s Cat
A visit from Father Christmas
An interactive
“crocodile”, that is
attached to the wall
outside the creative
classroom, is the latest
attraction amongst the
pre-primary children.
Final chapel service for Grade 7’s
The Grade 7’s, accompanied by their Grade 1 mentees, took centre stage as they celebrated their last chapel service as
Epworth Prep School pupils. Each pupil received a candle and was presented with a special card from their mentee. The
central theme of the service was kindness. Mrs Rebecca Schultz said: “In a world where you can be anything...be kind.”
Mr Reynard White encouraged all the Grade 7’s to look forward to creating a new world and a new person and to use
every opportunity to expand their knowledge. His parting words were: “Wherever you go, know that we carry you with
us in our hearts.”
End-of-year fun
The Prep Parents’
Association put on a
superb Great Gatsby
party for all the
staff. Everyone joined
in on the spirit of the
event.
The annual Christmas
dice, at Camps Drift,
is always a firm
favourite with the
junior paddlers.
So long, farewell...
“There’s a sad sort of feeling in the quad down at school And up in the chapel too
And there at the front, a cute little group Is popping up to say “Boo-hoo”
So long, Grade seven, we must say goodbye Your wings must spread, it’s time for you to fly
Our little chairs and tables you outgrew the sandpits, too, goodbye, to you and you
Cheers, good luck, enjoy your next adventures Please bring back Mr White’s dentures
Pass the tissues, have a little cry Share a hug, and wipe your teary eye. Goodbye
You’re glad to go, you heave a great big sigh You’ve had enough of all of us, don’t lie
The time has come, and now we wipe our eyes So long, farewell, Grade seven, now goodbye
Goodbye, goodbye, goodbye.”
Christmas service
Accolades for former pupils
Former Prep School boys, Avumile
Mcunu (Hilton College) and Matthew
Fuhri (Maritzburg College), were
recently selected for the KZN Youth
Orchestra. Avumile will also be going
on an exchange to Eton College in the
UK next year.
Achievements
The A and B squash teams
competed in a squash
tournament in Bloemfontein
where they fared very well.
Phillip Schütte and Kimrin Manickum
were selected to represent the
Maritzburg Football Association in a
tournament.
Elihle Dlwati, Stefne Coetzee and Jenna
Curry were selected to represent KZN at
the Inter-Schools’ Diving
Championships.
Madison Campher, Melissa Martens, Sydney
Lancaster, Amber Warr and Emma Williams
received KZN Umgungundlovu primary
school swimming colours.
Kayleigh Els received a number
of awards from the KZN Ice
Hockey Association.
Abby Clayton was selected to
swim at the SALGA DSR Games.
Rhys Purves recently completed
her 10th parkrun.
Keona Duthie was chosen to
be a member of the KZN
Youth Orchestra.
The following pupils participated in
the Swimchix charity swimathon:
Amylee Holtzhausen, Erin Jansen van
Vuuren, Tyla Lavery, Madison
Chambler, Rhys Purves, Aisha
Cassim and Roxy Van Zyl.